A few years back I got curious about poetry.com. It smelled a bit scammy so I submitted the following poem to see how the site would respond:
I sneezed a sneeze into the air
It fell to the ground I know not where
But hard and cold were the looks of those
In who’s vicinity I had snoze
A few weeks later I got a letter raving about how great my poem was and how much talent I had. They were even going to publish my poem in their next book - that I would be able to buy for just $50 (or was it $75?). And then I was invited to their national convention where my poem would be read for the attendees - for only $600 (not including travel costs).
Needless to say I didn’t take them up on any of their offers...
Be careful out there!